Deck Materials

Do you seek a basic solid wood ground-level deck or a lower-maintenance multi-level masterpiece? Whatever your plans, count on The Home Depot to help you find the deck that suits your home, your needs and your budget. Here's a quick look at the options we offer to help you complete your project.

Solid Wood Options
For solid wood decks, rest assured that The Home Depot does not purchase wood decking products from old-growth forests or rainforests, so you can relax in the comfort of an earth-friendly purchase. See our Wood Purchasing Policy for more information.

Cedar
Cedar naturally resists moisture, rot and insects, so it's a classic for decks. It's easy to seal or stain. If left untreated, it weathers to a distinguished silvery gray.

Availability*: Typically available and used in the Pacific Northwest area of the United States. 

Redwood
Redwood is naturally insect and rot resistant. Redwood provides a beautiful and long-lasting decking surface. Redwood has an open-celled structure and contains little or no pitch or resins. This enables redwood to absorb and retain all types of finishes extremely well.

Availability*: Typically available and used in the Pacific Southwest area of the United States. 

Southern Yellow Pine
Southern yellow pine is a popular soft wood, pale in color and easy to work with. When treated for outdoor use with arsenic-free treatment, it resists rot and termites.

Availability*: Typically available and used throughout the Northern, Southern, Midwestern and Western areas of the United States. 

* Although wood species are typically available and used in particular areas of the United States, all of The Home Depot’s solid wood products can be purchased through Special Order at your local The Home Depot store.

Alternatives to Wood
Now you can have a beautiful deck without the maintenance. Alternative decking materials don't require sealing, staining or painting, and will never split, warp, crack, rot or splinter. Best of all, they continue to look great, year after year.

Composite Decking
Composite decking is a mixture of recycled wood fibers in a resin base. The appearance is similar to natural wood and comes in a variety of colors (color availability varies by store). The textured surface comes in Slate Gray, Cascade Redwood or Buff Cedar. Composite decking offers a lower-maintenance alternative to wood and comes in a heavy weight material that helps resist warping, cracking or splitting.